News Brief

2/26/2012, Adar 3, 5772

31 Dead in Syrian Violence

At least 31 people were reported killed in clashes between Syrian security forces and civilians on Sunday. Nine civilians and four members of the military were reportedly killed in Homs as the government's siege on the city near the northeastern corner of Lebanon entered its fourth week. Eight civilians and ten troops died in other spots across the country.

President Bashar Al-Assad and his wife were among those who made it to polling stations to take part in a referendum on reforms which could theoretically allow Al-Assad to stay in power through most of the next decade. While government media presented pictures of participation in the poll, opponents were telling people to stay away from the balloting.